BOS_LHR

Hi! I read somewhere in this website that a week after POE you can go to a SS office and personally apply for a ssn; if you already requested a card in the DS-260, then you can still go to a SS office and ask for the number itself (maybe doing so won't make them issue the card faster, but at least you will know the number and can provide it to your employer, banks, etc). This is what I plan to do, go to a SS office a week after POE

my thoughts for you is to go as soon as possible, inquire about the status of your card and request the number! Keep us posted... Good luck!!!

We've already been to the social security office twice, but errors made by the customs agent at POE have prevented us from getting the card. We'll be trying again on Friday because supposedly CBP has fixed the mistakes, but we'll see. Also as a heads up, social security won't give you your SSN at the office anymore. They changed policy on August 1 and now for security purposes you have to wait to receive your number in the mail.

Hahaha I get soo confused with this 'his' and 'hers' really the funniest moment was when after hanging around in June thread with bos_lhr for 8 months I realized in the last few weeks that she is actually the wife I think bdrew as well

Bahahaha! :lol: In fairness I was careful not to use pronouns prior to hitting NVC... a LOT of people mistook me for being male and I just never bothered to correct them. It was pretty funny getting PMs from people asking for help calling me "brother"

Thanks so much! But what does "checklisted" really means?

NVC issues a "checklist" when you've made a mistake, whether by omitting something or by entering it incorrectly. They ask that you resubmit the documents with corrections made according to their instructions, and right now, that'll set you back a month or two. Leaving that address field blank is something they very unfairly consider a mistake, so don't let them trip you up

So, finally made it here, still waiting for our package to arrive at NVC, but trying to get ahead of the game. One question: It seems I qualify for the I-864EZ VS the regular I-864. What is the difference and which one should I file instead?

If you qualify for the EZ go ahead and use it. It's shorter and simpler -- no fields for multiple beneficiaries, use of assets, etc. Only thing to watch out for is to not leave the second address field blank. The instructions say to do so, but you'll get checklisted if you do, and NVC will not remove the checklist.

Hi! IR1 here. I just arrived here in US last July 15, 2014 and until now i haven't receive my GC yet.

What should i do, is it normal that it last for a month? And sorry for myself i can't acces my USCIS elis acct. i forgot my password and the reset questions ?. Please help. Thank you

Yes, probably normal. Have you paid the $165 fee already?

I was also unable to access my ELIS account online. You need to call USCIS and connect to an operator (hit 1-2-2-2) and then ask to be transferred to the technical help desk because your online ELIS account is locked. Explain to the help desk that you need to track your green card production status online but have forgotten your password and security questions. They will email you a link to reset all your info so you can use the site again. Editing to note: beneficiary must call or be present when the petitioner calls to authorize this.

7 weeks .....so can't apply for jobs till SSN and green card is received... I thought you can get the SSN in 2 weeks ... but I guess you have to wait for green card to apply for SSN.. is that right??

Ours is a bit of a confusing situation. Many spousal visa immigrants go through POE and have their SSNs within a couple of weeks of arriving. That would be normal. The visa has a temporary green card, so while the real green card takes generally 1-3 months to arrive, you still have proof of legal residency and legal authorization to work in the meantime.

Unfortunately for us the customs agent at POE made some mistakes entering my husband's info into the system, and trying to correct it has set us back hugely. Since he is legally allowed to work, he has been applying to jobs. I expect he could get through an interview and still be fine, but at the point of starting a new job they generally want to verify SSN. I'm not sure what'll happen if he gets that far and we still don't have a number assigned -- I've seen other VJ members say they simply told employers they were in the process of applying and it was fine -- but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

I see every post

And thanks for letting me know! I haven't checked the response sheet yet since Monday night, but I'll try to tonight. And at least you realized your mistake and re-submitted Hopefully everything is correct, otherwise someone may be getting a checklist

There should be an Intro to NVC course Enrollment is correctly submitting info to Yoda Sheet 2.0. Syllabus lists the major steps in the process, study guide is the full wiki. Mid-term exam is filing the AOS. Certificates of completion awarded to anyone who gets through NVC without a checklist (and those who only get them because of NVC's error). Every so often, Saylin chooses a valedictorian from her current graduating class

We got NO instructions - no sheet of info, no "go to this website" from Sydney, Australia. I'm so thankful for this list - I knew where to go to pay it!!!

My spouse has now been in the US for 35 days. No Green Card yet.

Sukie in NY

We're now at 7 weeks since POE -- no SSN, no green card. The card isn't even optimized on ELIS tracking yet Did they tell you how long to expect the GC to take?

Ok, my husband had some errors made at POE, and I'm not sure what effect they might have. Hopefully none but I guess we'll find out!

May 23 - ELIS fee paid

July 2 - POE

ELIS shows status as "accepted" but I can't use my IOE number on the USCIS case status page ("case cannot be found at this time"). Now we're waiting and hoping his green card arrives sometime this year

Hey, just about to send our AOS package, it's 58 pages long!!! Was anyone's else's that huge?

Thanks

Mine was around 15 pages because I used the EZ form and tax transcripts. After the I-130 packet it felt disturbingly thin. I checked about a hundred times for fear I was missing something incredibly obvious!

I have been trying to call NVC since they opened at 7 am, their time. I noticed today is a national holiday called Aviation Day but I don't even remember it. Is NVC closed today?

They're only closed on federal holidays. The next one is September 1 for Labor Day

AUGUST 4 - INTERVIEW (approved)

AUGUST 7 - VISA ON HAND

AUGUST 13 - IMMIGRATION FEE PAID

SEPT 12 - LAX POE

Hello guys i know its too early to ask this but anyone whos in CR-1 conditional visa here brew k.dlg or dwheels got a question can someone please enlighten me about the removal of the conditional visa? When will be the 90 days before the anniversary? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

It's 90 days before the green card expiration date, if I'm not mistaken.

Cupcake is correct, you can submit ROC as early as 90 days before the 2 year green card expires. Once you've submitted your paperwork you're basically in a grace period, so if the 2 year card expires but your ROC is pending in their system you're still ok.

Oh stop it please, for my sake...

You remind me of something I learned during my short stint with the US Army: If you hate your commanding officer, salute him in the battle field and hope a sniper would take notice.

And you're right, the OP should use whatever phone number is convenient, land line, cell phone, or web-based.

Funny how times change! I visited a Revolutionary War fort this weekend and the tour guide showed us George Washington's banner, saying it flew outside wherever Washington was. It was considered very rude to shoot an officer, so flying a flag to announce his presence was perfectly safe. The good old days

Also, the subject of the interview letter email is: MTL XXXXXX (STD P4 APP (24JUN2013))

I wonder if this means they are assessing files from Jun 24th?? I had resubmitted my AOS around that time.

It says June 24 2013. Everyone's interview letter subject has the same thing; it's probably the date that email form was first created. Definitely not related to your case though

So much stuff to remember I'm glad I'll be there with my hubby to make sure he's well organized!

Kind of wish I'd been there with mine as well, but he did great! We just went through the list of items for him to bring on interview day about 30 times during our Skype calls, haha. I'm sure you guys will do great too!! London's a piece of cake

I did the same as BOS_LHR, except I wrote the information on the back of each photo

I did that too, in pencil

Helllloo everyone, hubby s interview was on Aug 14th at Mumbai consulate, everything went well!! NVC asked us to bring a new AOS to the interview because we missed one question on the form. But during the interview, they didn't even ask for it. Interview was easy. They said they visa will be ready to be picked up in a week.

That's excellent, congratulations!

I put the photos in a snack sized Ziploc bag. I stapled the bag to a blank sheet of paper (just one side of the bag so it could still be opened) and wrote beneficiary name, DOB, case number and item description on the paper.

Wah!!! it freaks me out? but.in Saylins wiki stated.that tax.transcripts.downloaded at the website or 1099s and w 2s. So it means either of the two options. Im startong to cry here.

Anybody here who sent their aos packet with.no tax transcripts downloaded on irs website and.passed w 2s and 1099s are you guys accepted.or.checklisted?

Oh please help.me God.

You can't send only 1099s and W2s by themselves, if you're not using tax transcripts you have to send the tax return (e.g., form 1040) + W2s + 1099s. Was the tax return sent in addition to those income documents?

Sometimes things are outta ur control. I already mentioned I m the beneficiary and my husband wasn't believing the fact that tax returns can't be sent alone. I got to the point where I got tired of arguing and said that fine send whatever u want. That's the reason I have been so anxious all these 45 days because I know what's coming. I realized the second he sent as well that he screwed it up but I couldn't do anything about it. U have everything in ur hands ur case in different.

I really do feel for you... you must be so frustrated Hang in there!

September 2 at 8.30 am!!!

That's absolutely fantastic, congratulations!!!

That rank doesn't exist http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/VisaJourney_Member_Ranks

I'll soon be a Mucho Elder Member

Don't be hasty! Soon enough he'll be able to write it in on his own if he wants that title

Today is the day!!!

Just doing one more load of laundry so we have clean sheets to sleep on when we get home. The cat (my husband is her eye candy) is so excited she refuses to stay off the dining room table)! In about 3 hours I'll be heading to the airport, tomorrow I will see my husband for the first time in 5 months and it still hasn't sunk in that this time we won't have to say good-bye!!

THANK YOU to everyone! You are all in my heart, and if it weren't for this nightmare, I would not have met such amazing and fascinating people! So in a way, I will miss this journey lol

So thrilled for you both! Safe travels, best wishes for the interview, and enjoy your anniversary trip!

Husband got the visa!!

But he said it says

upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year

What does that mean??? Anyone know? Is there something else we need to do?

Congrats! The "upon endorsement" line means that when the visa is stamped at POE it becomes his temporary green card, valid for up to one year. That serves as proof of his permanent residency until the real green card arrives in the mail.

It is likely to be denied unless you have reason other than want to be with your love as soon as possible , the expedite are for people who got real life problems such as medical concern so they will be able to get visa as soon as possible way ahead of other people.

Rescheduling an interview date isn't the same as requesting an expedite and they're not held to the same criteria. Generally if the embassy/consulate has space open earlier they'll let you move your date and London has been reasonably good about this recently.